How to Contact a News Reporter with Your Story Idea

Before you even write the email or make the call, have you given your story idea the “So What?” or “Who Cares?” test! So what… you’re having your 40th business anniversary? Who cares… if you’re offering a special service for your clients?

To attract the media and new customers, you need to be thinking about useful content. What do you have to offer?

I don’t mean to be harsh, but as a TV reporter and show host veteran, you need to thinklike the media first. Think about their audience and if you’re providing information that people can truly use.

Keep your email simple, quick, and easy for a news reporter, a TV producer or a magazine editor to understand.

Below is the email I sent to land a spot on WTMJ’s Morning Blend. Does it help that I know most of the people who work there? Sure, it does.

But look at how I wrote the pitch for my first segment. What I want you to see is how you should:

My name is Katrina Cravy and I’m a former local TV reporter and show host. I’d love to be on The Morning Blend to help families and especially teenagers communicate better.Here’s my pitch!

WHAT: A fun communication game we can do with Molly and Tiffany that’s a game all families can play at the dinner table.

WHY: 52% of companies that responded to a Career Builder survey say recent college grads lacked interpersonal skills. This game will help teenagers get a job and keep them from living in our basements. 🙂

HOW TO MAKE THE SEGMENT FUN: Let’s play a game. I’d like to quiz Molly and Tiffany to see how long they can talk without saying the “3 Killer Filler Words – You Know, Like and Ah/Um” I’ll even bring my own buzzer.

The questions will also reveal stories about your host that the audience would love to know. Examples:

“What was your favorite gift as a child and why?”

“What was your New Year’s Resolution and how is that going for you?”

“Tell me about the last restaurant experience, who you were with, what you talked about and what you ate?

It’s a great game families should play at the dinner table to make each other aware of how we all overuse these filler words and hurt our ability to be heard.

WHEN: I’m available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and can fill any open spots you have.

To be a regular on TV News you must make yourself available whenever a reporter or producer calls for an interview or an open segment slot!

For reading this far down, I’m offering a special $15 dollar off April Audio Version deal for the next 5 days. Take me on your next ride or run for only $20 dollars until April 30th, when you put in the code: BROADCAST